GroupM Opens Analytics / Forecasting Division

WPP's media investment management group GroupM has opened a new Consulting Services division, whose offer will include marketing and media analytics, as well as business forecasting.

GroupM is the parent company to WPP media agencies Maxus, MEC, MediaCom, and Mindshare. Last year, the firm opened an innovation centre called GroupM Next, which specializes in providing insights into developments in online, mobile and social media.

The new Consulting Services unit will be led by media veteran Ernie Simon (pictured), who most recently served as OMD's Chief Strategy Officer, prior to which he held a number of senior planning and strategy roles at Mind Share, between 1998 and 2009.

Simon will serve as President of the new division and will lead a team of analysts and consultants who will work with clients to leverage capabilities and resources from across GroupM and its holding company WPP.

GroupM North America CEO Kelly Clark comments: 'Ernie's credentials speak for themselves. He's a total professional with a great mix of strategic and analytical skills. He also has extensive experience in a wide range of product and service categories, and we are delighted to welcome him back.'

Web site: www.groupm.com .